Innovative Technologies for the Design and Fabrication of Cost-Effective Artificial Reef Structures

Modular and single-piece artificial reef units were developed to meet site specific criteria for a variety of applications. A discussion of the advanced technologies and construction materials used in the design of the reef units is presented. The reef structures were designed to provide solutions to problems encountered with traditional reef materials. These problems include: [1] ready availability of desirable materials, [2] matching materials to permitted reef sites, [3] avoidance of high transportation costs associated with heavy and bulky materials, [4] ease of deployment, [5] reef stability in high energy nearshore environments, [6] reduction of interference of reef structures with traditional commercial bottom fisheries, [7] longevity of reef materials, and [8] long range cost and benefits.